The Fulkow family

Sauternes, France

Sauternes is located in the southern part of the Bordeaux region of France and is the world-famous producer of sweet white wines known as "Noble Rot Wines." Located in a marshland where the Garonne and Ciron rivers meet, the morning fog and warm afternoon weather create ideal conditions for the development of noble rot (Botrytis cinerea).

The Fourcaud family domain and vineyards

Chateau La Garenne was originally a winery that produced botrytis wines for the Ferbos family. After Christian, the head of the family at the time, passed away, the Fourcaud family took over. For Mr. Fourcaud, who had always wanted to do organic wines, it was fortunate for him to take over the Ferbos family, which had been certified organic since 1994. Even now, Mr. Ferbos' wife and sister help Mr. Fourcaud with his work.

The 2 hectare vineyard and winery in the village of Sauternes were taken over.

Organic history: Since 1994

He took over the vineyard from the previous generation of the Ferbos family in 2013 and has continued the same work as the Ferbos family.

• White grapes: Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle
• Black grapes: None

Field soil

The land around here is gravel (pebbles and gravel) up to a depth of about 2m, and below that is bedrock about 10m deep.

The forest near the vineyards is over 3,000 years old, and the Chiron River runs through it. The water of the Chiron is cold (around 15°C even in midsummer), and when it joins the Garonne River, the difference in temperature creates fog, which is essential for the growth of noble rot.

Characteristics of cultivation methods etc.

• 8,000 trees per hectare
• Of course, all the grapes are harvested by hand. Since they are harvested individually from grapes that have bacteria in them, they are harvested in several batches. At least two or three times, and sometimes more than ten times.